Reenforced scaffold plank



M. BAUER REENFORCED SCAFFOLD PLANK Oct. 16, 1928.

Filed May 11, 1927 INYENTOR Mir/77!? Bauer 2 BY ivfiuns Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

{UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN BAUER, F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

REENFORGED SGAFFOLD PLANK.

Application filed May 11,

The particular object of the present invention is to provide reenforcing means tor a scailold strip or plank, so that the latter may much more easilyhandled.

I shall describe a particular embodiment of my invention in connection with the ac coinpanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a plank provided with my improved reenforcing means.

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1.

Figure 3is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure at is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2. I

Figure 5 is a section on the line of Figure 2. V

Figure 6 is a detail in plan view.

Figure '7 is a section on the line 77 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a side View of Figure 7.

Figure 9 isa section on the line 99 of Figure 7. I

Figure 10 is a bottom view of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a bottom View, in part ofFigure 1, and

Figure 12 is a section on the line l2l2 of Figure 11.

Referring to Figure 1 my invention consists broadly, as there indicated, in providing a strip or plank at its underside with a tensicn member21, preferably in the form of a. steel cable, anchored at the ends of the plank,

and adapted to be tensioned by means of a pivoted bridge or cam element 22 intermediate the ends of. the plank. A metal binding consisting of two overlapping angle bars 23 and 24:.is provided for each end of the plank, and anchoring means 25 abutting'the outer element 24- are provided for each end of the cable. In the case of planks from twelve to eighteen feet in length, and which need be no more than an inch and an eighth in thickness, I provide a single cable running along the central line of the plank, but in the case of planks from eighteen to twenty-two feet in length and which should be an inch and one-halfin thickness, I provide two cables 21 disposed adjacent the edges of the plank.

. In the first case, a single bridge or cam element 22 is sufficient, but in the longer lengths 1927. SerialNo. 190,455.

two may be used, each of which is spaced between the center and an end of the plank.

Since the binders are of standard construction, for all lengths I provide their overlap ping edges with three registering recesses, those int-he outer member being indicated at 26 and 27 (Fig. 2), the third being concealed by the anchor element or head 25, and

those in the inner element being indicated as 27, 2S and 29 Figure 6. Likewise, as shown particularly in Figure 7, bridge 22 is pro vided with three recesses for the reception of the cable or cables.

Assuming, in accordance with the specific.

showing, that a single cable is to be used, this will be provided at its endswith anchors 25 in which the ends are babbitted. A single bridge 22 is disposed atthe c'enterof the plank and, for some distance from each end, of the plank bottom longitudinally extending grooves 30 are formed of sufiicient depth to receive the end portions of the cables. The

cable is now laid over the bridge with its end portions in the grooves and secured in the lat ter by means of clips 31, the anchor heads ex-i tending slightly beyond each end of the plank. Members 23 and 24 are now brought together in operative relation with the cable disposed. in their central recesses. The binder elements are then secured to the ends of the plank by screws passing through registering apertures of the two into the plank ends. Two of these screws 32 and 33 engage wings extending fromtthe anchor element or head, so as to prevent relative movement of the latter. 7

Up to this point, the bridge 22 whose trunnions 34 and 35 are engaged in bearings 36 and 37 secured in transverse alignment on the bottom of the plank has remained in collapsed position. In this position, the plank manipulation of arm 39, rigidly connected therewith, it may be swung at right angles to the axis of the trunnions so as to engage the plank at each side of the bridge and retain the latter in operative position. The spindle which connects latch 38 and arm 39 is surrounded between the latter and the supporting element of the bridge by a compression spring 41 so that its movements are frictionally controlled.

hen the plank, so adjusted, is put into use, due to the readjustment of the parts resulting from the tension placed upon them, and due also to a slight stretching of the cable-itself, a certain slackness of the latter will be induced. To overcome this condition, one of the binding units is made longitudinally adjustable of the plank so that upon its adjustment, the original relation of the members may be restored. Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 5, itwill be noted that one end of the plank is provided with inset nuts 42 and 43, these nu-ts being provided with wings or otherwise so shaped as to be non-rotatable. Screws 4st and 4:5 engage these nuts, and as shown, are provided with integral collars, as at 46 (Fig. 5), bearing against the inner surface of member 23, and the circular heads of these screws extend through registering apertures in members 23 and 24. Thus, by loosening the screws which secure the binding plates to the end of the plank, screws 44 and l5 may be adjusted outwardly to restore the tension to cable 21.

As mentioned above, the end portions of the cable are laid in grooves in the surface of the plank, and it will be understoodthat this is for the purpose of permitting the plank to be laid on jacks or trestlesspaced apart at varied distances. If the cable were exposed, there would be a certain rocking of the plank, which would, of course, be undesirable. It may be also noted that plate 24 has a downwardly extending flange 24 adapted to prevent the end of the plank from sliding from its support.

\Vhile I have used the word cable above, and in the following claims as denoting tension element 21, it is to be understood that this term is not intended to be restrictive.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a scaffold p'lank, a cable element extending throughout the length of the plank at its under-side, a bind ing plate at eachend of the plank, means for anchoring the ends of the cable on said plates, means to space an intermediate portion of the cable from the plank, and means to displace one of said plates longitudinally of the plank to tension said cable.

2. In combination with a scaffold plank,

a cable element extending throughout the length of the plank at its under-side, a binding plate at each end of the plank, means for anchoring the ends of the cable on said plates, means to space an intermediate port-ion of the cable from the plank, and screw actuated means to displace one of said plates longitudinally of the plank to tension said cable.

3. In combination witha scalfold plank, a cable element extending throughout the length of the plank at its under-side, anchor heads the ends of said cable, binding means for each end of said plank, each of said binding means comprising a pair of overlapping plates having registering recesses to receive the cable immediately behind the respective anchor head, and collapsible means to space an intermediate portion of the cable from the plank.

a. In combination with a scaffold plank, a cable element extending throughout the length of the plank at its under-side, anchor heads at the ends of said cable, binding 'means for each endof said plank, each of said binding means comprising a pair of overlapping plates having registering, recesses to receive the cable immediately behind the respective anchor head, collapsible means to space an intermediate portion of the cable from the plank, and means to displace one of said binding means longitudinally of the plank to tension said cable.

5. In combination with a scafiold plank, a cable element extending throughout the length of the plank at its under-side, anchor heads at the ends of said cable, binding means for each end'ofsaid' plank, each of said bindin means comprising a pair of overlapping plates having registering recesses to receive the cable immediately be hind the respective anchor head, collapsible means to space an intermediate portion of the cable from the plank, and screw actuated means to displace one of said binding means longitudinally of the plank to tension said cable.

6. In combination with a scaffold plank, a cable element extending throughout the length of the plank at its underside, means for anchoring the ends of the cable at the ends of the plank,a bridge pivoted to the plank and adapted when swung outwardly relative thereto, to space an intermediate por tion of the cable from the plank, and a latch pivoted to said bridge and adapted to be swung across the pivotal axis thereof into engagement with the plank at each side of the bridge to prevent said bridge from swinging in'either direction out of suchspacing position.

p In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. p I U MARTIN BAUER; 

